Pages

Monday, November 18, 2019

Recent Reads

Every Monday, I share books I have recently read. I also participate in It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?, a community of bloggers who link up to share what they are reading. To find out what other bloggers are reading, check out the host blogs, Teach Mentor Texts and Unleashing Readers, or follow on Twitter at #imwayr.

Recent Reads...


Bear is Awake!: An Alphabet Story by Hannah E. Harrison

This alphabet book tells a charming story of unexpected friendship and adventure. It's also clever in that just one or up to a handful of words for each letter of the alphabet and the illustrations tell the story. The illustrations are just delightful and some quite humorous. Young readers will love the goofy and good-natured bear. Thanks to the publisher for providing my book review group, #BookExcursion, with a review copy.

The Perfect Seat by Minh Lê

Before a parent and child can read their book together they have to find a place to read it. The two moose explore many options, but it's not until they are about to give up that they find the perfect spot. The illustrations are humorous and some of the potential reading spots are amusing.

Best Friends by Shannon Hale

Shannon Hale's graphic novel memoir is the follow-up to Real Friends. Shannon is in sixth grade and struggling to understand friendships and trying to figure out how she should act to fit in with her peers. This book captures the complexities of growing up and the emotions of being a sixth grader who wants to be part of a group of friends, but also be true to herself. The book also explores what it's like to be a kid this age with anxiety. A very relatable story that will show middle grade readers that it's worth it to follow one's own path. I was fortunate to win a copy of this book thanks to Macmillan and First Second Books.

A Book to Look For in 2020


The Oldest Student: How Mary Walker Learned to Read by Rita Lorraine Hubbard

One is never too old to learn and it's never too late to accomplish a goal. This story of Mary Walker, a freed slave, who learned to read at 116 is inspirational. She has an amazing life story due to her resilience and determination. The author's note and the photographs in the end papers give more insight into Mary's life. Oge Mora's illustrations are wonderful, as always. Thanks to the publisher, Random House Kids, for a review copy. The book publishes in January.

Monday, November 11, 2019

Recent Reads

Every Monday, I share books I have recently read. I also participate in It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?, a community of bloggers who link up to share what they are reading. To find out what other bloggers are reading, check out the host blogs, Teach Mentor Texts and Unleashing Readers, or follow on Twitter at #imwayr.

Recent Reads...

Finding Kindness by Deborah Underwood

There are many ways of being kind. The rhyming text and illustrations show the small actions those in a community can take to be kind and compassionate towards others. This is a sweet and heartwarming book.

Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story by Kevin Noble Maillard

This beautiful and poetic book celebrates fry bread and gives insight into its role in Native American history and culture. The author's note is extensive, providing both additional information about fry bread and telling of the author's own experiences. Juana Martinez-Neal's illustrations are gorgeous and full of warmth.

Edison Beaker, Creature Seeker: The Lost City by Frank Cammuso

Kids who have read the first Edison Beaker, Creature Seeker will be excited to see there is a second book. Edison, along with his sister, Tesla, goes back through the Night Door to fulfill a mission, to save the city of Pharos, at his grandmother's request, and prove he is a creature seeker. This is a fast-paced graphic novel with adventure and humor. I know kids will be eager for the next book after reading this one.

A Book to Look for in 2020

Clean Getaway by Nic Stone

The story of William "Scoob" Lamar, who goes on a road trip with his G'Ma, is Nic Stone's first middle grade novel. Wanting to escape the punishment he has been given for trouble he got into at school, Scoob is more than willing to accompany his G'Ma on the trip, but he begins to wonder if it was a good idea when she starts acting oddly. Filled with memories, secrets, and history, the road trip becomes an adventure that will change Scoob's life. This is a heartfelt novel of family. Thanks to the publisher, Random House Kids, for providing my book review group with an advance reader's copy. The book publishes in January.

Monday, November 4, 2019

Recent Reads

Every Monday, I share books I have recently read. I also participate in It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?, a community of bloggers who link up to share what they are reading. To find out what other bloggers are reading, check out the host blogs, Teach Mentor Texts and Unleashing Readers, or follow on Twitter at #imwayr.

Recent Reads...

One Snowy Morning by Kevin Tseng

Two forest friends come across a snowman and invent a new use for the snowman's things. The carrot nose, which they believe is a rare dragon's tooth, becomes the inspiration for their dragon-tooth-soup party. This is a silly, but sweet story to inspire creativity. It will be fun to read aloud once the winter season arrives.

Snowy Race by April Jones Prince

Another one of my recent reads is perfect for reading during the winter season. Although the rhyming text and illustrations perfectly capture a cold and blustery snow day, this book will actually warm hearts. A child rides along with her father in his snowplow as they race through the snow to a destination that is revealed at the end. This is a very sweet story about family. Thanks to the author and Holiday House for sending me a review copy. The book publishes in November.

Weird Little Robots by Carolyn Crimi

Penny Rose is new to her neighborhood and without friends, except for the robots she builds, until she meets Lark, who also likes to create things. This is a story of two friends working through the bumps of their relationship. There's also an element of magic, as the robots come to life and Penny Rose realizes she needs Lark's help to protect them. It's a book that's both quirky and sweet and shows two girls with an interest in science.


A Book to Look For in 2020


From the Desk of Zoe Washington by Janae Marks

Zoe has never met her birth father, Marcus, who is in prison for murder, but she receives a letter from him on her twelfth birthday. She writes him back, being sure to keep it secret from her mother who does not want Zoe to have anything to do with her real father. When Marcus proclaims his innocence, Zoe is determined to find out the truth. This is a meaningful story about family that explores what it means to do the right thing and will give readers some insight into our justice system. I was hooked into this story pretty early on, wanting to know how it would all work out for Zoe and Marcus. The book publishes in January.